The spine is one of the important structures that support various organs in your body. You rely on it for the functions of your entire body as well as your physical movement. With so much use throughout your lifetime, it is bound to create health conditions that are difficult to treat or manage in the long run. When it is given the best care, though, you won’t have any of these issues. If you are experiencing spinal cord pain in Arlington, Subach Spinal Solutions could be the solution for you. Caring for your spine’s wellbeing will work to your advantage as you keep aging. Read on to discover why it is the best life decision.
How Important is the Spinal Cord?
Your spine is made up of nerves that run from your brain’s lower side down to your back. Your arms, chest, legs and abdomen also rely on 31 nerves that travel along the spinal cord. Each time you want to move your arms or legs, these nerves will signal your brain to command these muscles. The nerves are also responsible for regulating your vital organs such as the heart, bowels, lungs, and bladder. For example, signals from the spine control how often you need to empty your bowels.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is damaged due to trauma, failure to get normal blood supply, or tension from tumor or infection. The injury is categorized into two:
- Complete spinal cord injury – When there is a total loss of sensation and the muscles fail to perform their specific duties
- Incomplete spinal injury – When one part of the organ supported by the spinal cord is below the injury point. That means both the left and right sides of the body are affected equally.
What can cause a spinal cord injury?
Trauma from motor vehicle accidents is the most common cause of spinal cord injury. It can also be caused by falls from heights, violent activities, or sporting injuries. In other cases, conditions such as a tumor, infection, or inflammation may also affect the spinal cord.
A spinal cord injury can be disastrous when it isn’t corrected as soon as it happens. Even if you come out of an accident alive and healthy, visiting your doctor is the best bet you have at ensuring your spine stays in good shape. However, you can only rest assured when you seek assistance from a specialized medical practitioner in that area.
When to see a spinal cord specialist
Your regular doctor can fail to come up with a proper diagnosis for your back problem. When this happens, your best option is to get an experienced chiropractor to get a second opinion. If you or someone you love has had a spinal cord injury, getting a chiropractor or spinal cord specialist is the best decision to make. Dr. Brian Subach, MD, is a leading neurosurgery expert based in Arlington, VA. Together with his Subach Spinal Solutions team, he offers a wide range of spinal cord and back pain solutions for patients accross the country.